11/05/09

Post Race Report: Amp Energy 500

"I look forward to the day when I can watch this on TV instead of being a part of it," Jeff Gordon said after being collected in a multi-car accident and finishing 20th in Sunday's Amp Energy 500 at Talladega Superspeedway.

"It's fun and exciting. "But it's so crazy at the same time and you know what the outcome is going to be. That takes away a t from the desire to want to go out there and race at Talladega."

After battling for position -- sometimes three-and-four-wide -- during the event and putting himself into a great position late in the race, Gordon's chance at victory came up empty with less than two laps to go.

The four-time NASCAR Cup Series champion was set to restart fifth for the two-lap sprint to the checkered flag, but the No. 24 DuPont Chevrolet ran out of fuel as the field was coming to the restart.

Gordon was able to stop for fuel and restart 27th, but he was not able to avoid the "big one" -- the multicar crash -- on the frontstretch as the field approached the white flag.

"It was disappointing because we ran out of fuel," Gordon said after the race won by Jamie McMurray. "I felt like I had saved a lot on the last run.

"At least we were able to get back out there and destroy our car, though" Gordon added in jest."

Gordon, who started third, was aggressive all day while teammate and points leader JimmieJohnson was more conservative in his approach. While Johnson mainly stayed at the rear of the pack -- around 35th -- in an effort to avoid the multi-car accidents that often occur at the 2.66-mile track, Gordon mixed it up with the leaders. At one point, Gordon was shuffled from the lead to 26th in two laps. But Johnson's strategy and late charge at the end worked as he narrowly avoided two big accidents to post a sixth-place finish.

Gordon, who is third in the standings, now trails Johnson by 192 heading into next Sunday's Dickies 500 at Texas Motor Speedway. ABC and PRN Radio's live coverage of the 500-mile event begins at 2:30p.m. EST.

Amp Energy 500 results (unofficial)

1. Jamie McMurray

2. Kasey Kahne

3. Joey Logano

4. Greg Biffle

5. Jeff Burton

6. Jimmie Johnson

7. Michael Waltrip

8. Brad Keselowski

9. Elliott Sadler

10. Bobby Labonte

20. Jeff Gordon